FlightSafety International

A World Leader in Simulation-based Rotorcraft Safety Training

FlightSafety International (FSI), one of the world’s foremost aviation training companies—training professionals from 154 countries—continues to set the standard with its growing commitment to simulation-based rotorcraft training featuring groundbreaking Level 7 flight training devices. During 2009, FlightSafety fielded the world’s first Level 7 rotorcraft FTD. The Eurocopter AS350 simulator, installed in the company’s Learning Center in Tucson, Ariz., opens a new era in cost-effective rotorcraft training.

The Level 7 Advantage

FlightSafety’s new FTDs incorporate the latest visual realism and other components from full flight simulation, while allowing the economy of fixed-base training. Level 7, the highest service rating for an FTD, offers maximum training credits. FSI also has installed a Level 7 FTD for the Bell 206 at its new rotorcraft-specific Learning Center in Lafayette, La., and is on schedule to install a similar device for the Bell 407 at that center in early 2010. Throughout the remainder of 2010 and into 2011, FSI plans to develop and deploy additional Level 7 devices and full flight simulators replicating various helicopter models, including the Eurocopter EC135.

Center of Training Excellence

The new Lafayette center, which opened its doors in 2009, devotes its efforts exclusively to helicopter safety, providing a broad range of mission-specific training for offshore operations, EMS, law enforcement, newsgathering and more.

“This state-of-the-art facility offers helicopter operators another center of excellence for training dedicated to enhancing safety,” says George Ferito, director of rotorcraft business development for FlightSafety. “The center delivers customer-specific, rather than aircraft-specific, training supporting multiple aircraft manufacturer product lines, including Eurocopter. Our training programs serve all sectors of the industry, including the large and diverse fleet operating in the Gulf.”

A Training Trendsetter

According to Ferrito, FSI was the first company to develop Level D-certified full flight rotorcraft simulators, and the first to offer electric motion and control loading for the most precise and realistic experience possible. Its VITAL visual systems feature tremendous fidelity, an extensive visual database and a broad range of environmental conditions including brownout and whiteout. FSI offers rotorcraft training for most major models, including from Sikorsky, Bell and Eurocopter, at Learning Centers in Lafayette; Tucson; Dallas–Fort Worth; West Palm Beach, Fla.; and London Farnborough, UK.

Mission-Specific Training

Ferrito says FlightSafety’s mission-oriented approach provides a major advantage in rotorcraft training. EMS pilots train to convincing scenarios drawn from real-life challenges. Offshore crews face training scenarios that replicate their particular situation. The company also offers mission-specific training for LE and newsgathering, and programs can be customized to emphasize scenarios specific to any operation.

Training Leadership

FSI, the factory-authorized trainer for both Bell and Sikorsky, is one of the world’s premier professional aviation training company and supplier of flight simulators, visual systems and displays to commercial, government and military organizations. FSI provides more than a million hours of training each year to pilots, technicians and other aviation professionals from 154 countries. FlightSafety operates the world’s largest fleet of advanced full flight simulators at Learning Centers and training locations in the U.S., Canada, Europe, South Africa and Asia.

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